Innehållsförteckning för August 11, 2022 från Cycling Weekly

Nominations are once again open for the Cycling Weekly awards as we begin our annual search for the heroes of the British cycling scene. This year we want you to nominate people for our Local Hero, Club of the Year and Outstanding Achievement awards. All three will be announced in December. Every year I’m blown away by the work that goes on at grassroots level up and down the country and it’s always tough to narrow it down to one winner. The Local Hero award goes to the individual who drives their local scene, giving others the opportunity to ride or race – opening doors, encouraging people into the sport and helping them develop. The Club of The Year is similar, but on a bigger scale as we look for…

Bäckstedt claims road first Junior Zoe Bäckstedt claimed her first win on the road as a senior on Friday in her very first race with EF Education-Tibco-SVB. She was part of the team time trial winning squad on the first day of the Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées. She also got the young rider classification jersey for the afternoon’s road stage but lost it to a rider in the breakaway. Bäckstedt won the sprint for sixth. Richards claims mtb gold Evie Richards claimed her first win of an injury blighted 2022 in style at the Commonwealth Games. The Englishwoman rode away from the field and built a lead of over 40 seconds and never looked in danger of seriously losing it even when she crashed on a grassy corner. The…

While some tyre brands are keen to push the ‘wider at lower pressure’ mantra, with the release of its new Criterium RS tyre Challenge appears to be aiming at the traditionalists out there. Offered in 25mm and 27mm widths the tubeless-ready, hookless-compatible Criterium RS is described by the Italian brand as “the perfect blend between speed, grip and reliability”. Featuring a handmade construction, the tyres use a new SMARTPrime compound, which Challenge says helps lower rolling resistance while at the same improving grip in both wet and dry conditions. So too the tread pattern, which blends a slick central strip with additional grip along the edges. Between this tread and the light 350 tpi cotton casing sits a tightly woven and flexible ‘Ganzo’ puncture protection strip, which not only guards…

The Floriane Begonia cycling jersey comes from Café du Cycliste’s Centifolia collection. The floral theme is fresh and visually striking. Unlike many summer jerseys, the Floriane isn’t a wholly transparent mesh affair, increasing its versatility. Eighty-five percent of the fabric is made from recycled bottles, which is combined with elastane to give the right form and fit. The finished product is a partial mesh affair, with side panels having a slightly more open weave to help with breathability. It has a UPF 30 rating. Weight 138g Size M The Floriane features well-finished hems (over raw-cut edges); decent collar height; a zip guard and garage at the neck; a reinforced pocket structure to increase durability; and generous reflective trims at the sleeve ends. The construction throughout is flawless. The fit falls somewhere…

This understated jersey from premium brand 7mesh offers a similar fit to Café du Cycliste’s Floriane; its longer length and relaxed fit make it a great option for those craving comfort over compression. In keeping with the non-race fit, the fabrics are not as breathable as those on any of the jerseys mentioned so far. While this may well limit its use during the hottest months, it does make it an ideal choice for spring and autumn when paired with some arm-warmers or a gilet. The polyester fabrics are antimicrobial treated, so should stay fresh for longer. The ‘Anything modular pocket storage’ is a real winner on the Horizon. It’s a delight to use, with a total of five pockets: three standard ones plus two (one small, one large) zipped…

The Chameleon Evo 2.0 is loud and proud. Primal has splashed the retina-searing colours of the ’80s and ’90s pro peloton all across this jersey – but priced at £70, it also aims to undercut many brands with pretensions to designerdom. The majority of the jersey is made from Primal’s Q3 Elite fabric, which is a lightweight polyester with a grid pattern of tiny squares. There’s mesh at the sides, under the arms and at the back of the neck. The fabric is perfectly suited for summer riding and is very breathable. The outlines of the tiny squares all over the fabric are sheer, so airflow gets in very easily. We also found it wicked well and didn’t hold on to moisture. The raglan sleeves have raw-cut cuffs with a…

The women’s jerseys all performed incredibly well, each one focusing on a slightly different aspect of cycling. But the one that we thought brought together all those elements most successfully was the Café du Cycliste Centifolia. It was highly versatile, able to perform well in a wide range of temperatures and we liked the fit that was perfectly balanced between racy and casual. The floral design might not be for everyone but it’s certainly striking and, crucially, is more visible on the road than some. Although certainly not cheap, it’s priced below the Assos and Velocio jerseys and offers good value for money. As for the men’s jerseys, again we had some very strong contenders and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of the five here. If you’re after a decent,…

TIME TRIALS SUNDAY, 7 AUGUST Scottish 100-Mile Championship (Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire): Men: 1. Lee Rosie (Spokes RT) 3:34.10 2. R. Mitchell (unattached) 3:44.47 3. J. Dawson (Vanelli Project Go) 3:51.31 4. J. Kent (Aberdeen Wheelers) 4:00.53 5. A. Gallacher (Livingston CC) 4:12.07 6. R. Hills (Aberdeen Wheelers) 4:12.40 Women: 1. Christina Mackenzie (Stirling BC) 4:19.20 2. A. Ligeti (Vanelli Project Go) 4:45.07 3. L. Cordiner (Moray Firth CC) 5:00.51 East Sussex CA 100 (Hailsham, East Sussex): Men: 1. Chris McNamara (Nuun-Sigma Sport-London) 3:35.47 2. P. Wright (Paceline RT) 3:46.07 3. A. Rivett (VC St Raphael) 3:49.31 4. S. Fuller (Southborough & Dist Wh) 3:52.50 5. L. Marshall (RNRMCA) 4:02.50 6. N. Russell (trainSharp) 4:04.05 Women: 1. Pip Jenkins (1904 RT) 4:24.49 2. A. Turner (Eastbourne Rovers CC) 5:38.27 3. G. Goscomb…

I’m not long back from a few days in County Down with my family. And my family, for reasons clear to anyone with a family of their own, always inspires in me the urge for some long, long rides. I don’t actually own any bike-packing gear, but that’s not a mistake I’ll repeat next time. (“Michael’s popped out for a bike ride.” “When did he leave?” “Monday, I think it was.”) I love riding in County Down. It’s covered in drumlins, which are smallish, roundish, evenly spaced hills that have something to do with the last Ice Age. It’s a bit like riding over a giant sheet of green bubble wrap. The sheep that did the basic layout work for the road system didn’t muck about following the valleys, they…

Not long since, in a cafe in Cambridge, someone came up to me and said, “Hey, you’re the cycling guy, aren’t you?” I admitted that I was a cyclist – though I was concerned he had me confused with someone more notable, because in my experience that’s normally the case. “Ah, what’s your name? It’s on the tip of my tongue.” This is always awkward. I don’t want to tell someone the real answer if it’s going to be a disappointment, especially if there’s a chance that if I play it right I might be about to get the chance to pretend to be Sir Chris Hoy for five minutes. But before I could say anything, he said, “Got it! It’s Bernard, isn’t it?” So thanks for that.…

A good summer cycling jersey has a surprising number of jobs to do. Arguably the most important one is temperature regulation: it’s got to be able to maximise airflow, wick sweat and dry out rapidly. Specialists such as Polartec are now supplying the cycling apparel brands with technical fabrics that are designed to optimise a jersey’s performance. Comfort is also crucial: the fit has to be right, the sleeves and the bottom hem shouldn’t move – a jersey should be held in place. We’re seeing an increasing emphasis on aerodynamics. Flapping material causes wind drag, so a close-fitting jersey is best. Pocket layout, capacity and stability is something that can make or break a jersey. The dreaded pocket sag is to be avoided at all costs, yet pockets have to…

The jersey is a hybrid of sorts, combining both Velocio’s Concept and Radiator Mesh jerseys. The front torso and sleeve panels mimic the latter, using the same textured, perforated Polartec Delta Mesh material. The Tencel and recycled polyester yarns create a 3D mesh structure intended to wick and absorb moisture, then actively cool through evaporation as you ride. Unfortunately, Polartec Delta Mesh doesn’t boast UPF but the rear panel thankfully offers UPF 30+ protection. The fabric’s open-knit structure is designed to offer a degree of compression as well as breathability. A low-profile neckline reduces bulk and maximises airflow. In fact, much of the fit is focused on aerodynamics. Pulling on the Concept Radiator jersey is akin to zipping up a skinsuit; the cut is very much race-orientated and the fabrics…

At the World Championships this autumn Tom Pidcock is expected to be the leader for the road race. The hilly parcours should give the Yorkshireman a realistic hope of victory. But there also is a gaggle of strong British riders, all of whom can play a role in such a race, and on their day win it, including Fred Wright, Ben Turner, Jake Stewart and Ethan Hayter. In addition, a crop of even younger riders including Leo Hayter, Josh Tarling and Sam Watson, could well make the British team one of the strongest World Championship squads over the next five years. Wright is certainly convinced when we put this to him. “That’s what’s so exciting – I think yesterday [the Commonwealth Games road race] is all about learning and getting…

As enjoyable and fascinating as the Tour de France was this year, there were very few repeating historical patterns. Tadej Pogačar’s stage six win deprived him of the chance to take the yellow jersey at the same place he took his first [in 2020]. Also, his UAE Emirates Team finished sixth in the Team Classification, so he finished first, second, third, fourth and sixth in the five major classifications. Wout van Aert’s decision to not sprint on stage 21 meant that he finished the Tour with three stage wins, rather than a potential four, which means his TdF career stats do not read 1-2-3-4 in terms of stage wins at each Tour since 2019. All in all, a very unsatisfying Tour in terms of niche statistics. At least Tom Pidcock…

The Assos UMA GTV isn’t quite a full-on race jersey, rather a high-performance piece for demanding riding. It’s currently the most expensive jersey in Assos’s women’s range but due to its versatility it should offer plenty of ‘miles per pound’. The front panel of the jersey is made from a textile called Sens SN, which features UPF 50+ protection, while the rear and side panels use two mesh-style fabrics, 3-Mesh and Stabiliser, to deliver breathability and stretch. The sleeves use another fabric again, also rated UPF 50. The jersey’s front edge is a raw-cut affair, giving a clean transition to shorts. It’s the same at the sleeve ends, with both elements being designed to stay put while you’re riding, without being restrictive or compressive. Elsewhere there’s a reinforced rear panel,…

As the name suggests, the Aeron Ultra is well suited to longer-distance cycling adventures that make huge demands on your kit. Comfort and durability are at the top of the list, as is practicality – and the Aeron Ultra delivers all three. The main material is Revolutional Energy fabric that promises to assist muscular compression, and in doing so reduce rider fatigue, thereby helping to improve performance. This uses a Coldblack finishing treatment, a highly regarded process that protects the rider from heat build-up and UV rays for up to 30+. Balancing out the fabric density are mesh panels under the arms, central back and pocket insides. It’s a great design idea to have it as the pocket inner, helping to reduce the jersey’s overall weight. Next is the fit.…

The Rapha Pro Team Aero jersey has been a mainstay of the British brand’s range for some time now, and remains one of its top performers. It’s built with aerodynamics at the forefront and features a smooth front panel with a textured panel on the back. The arms and the top of the back and shoulders feature a dimpled texture, all in place to minimise drag. This is a very figure-hugging jersey, as you would expect from its aero remit, but it doesn’t compromise on comfort, and you don’t notice the textured panels against your skin. The arms are quite long, sitting just above the elbow, and fit tightly, which means no riding up, even on skinny arms. The jersey isn’t ideally suited to super-hot days, particularly if you’re going…

TICCC is an independent performance cycle clothing brand with a big focus on responsible production and sustainability, and as such, its Pulse jersey is Global Recycle Standard (GRS) approved. Unlike some other brands – which focus solely on the sustainability of production and packaging – TICCC takes a more holistic approach. Its website includes advice on more sustainable practices, such as laundering less, using washing bags to prevent microfibre waste, and passing on kit where possible to help reduce demand. That’s right, the brand actively encourages customers to buy less. The Pulse Jersey is designed with a race fit, confirming closely and minimising excess material that may get caught flapping in the wind. The sleeves feature a raw-cut finish and are fashionably long. The hem features a wide elasticated band…

Verco Victor Berlemont Trophy Road Race Date: Sun 28 August First run more than 70 years ago, the Victor Berlemont is billed as “one of the toughest cycle races in the UK”. Open to E/1/2/3s and 112 miles long, it is held on the Woodcote/Goring circuit in Oxfordshire and includes seven ascents of Flint Hill. Closes: Sun 14 August Islington Women’s Road Race Date: Sun 28 August This regional A race for 2/3/4 female riders uses the popular Wendens Ambo circuit – 10 miles/16 kilometres of undulating roads in north-west Essex that dip in and out of the Cam valley. Total distance will be 53 miles. Closes: Mon 15 August…

Strava art is simply choosing the route of a ride so that you can draw something on the map with your GPS track. It’s possibly the most pointless thing in the universe, so as you’d expect it appeals to bike riders. There are a number of approaches. One is to just go for a ride, and afterwards see what the line looks like. Then you show it to people and say, “It’s a lion!” or “It’s a television!” This will enable you to find out how polite your various friends are, but it won’t achieve much else. That’s because the only thing it’s possible to draw by accident on a ride is the male genitalia. This offers an insight into the psychological state of many bike riders, but that’s not…